Preview: Fiji vs Japan
Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:55
Flying Fijians head coach Ilivasi Tabua has made six changes to the team that lost 11-7 to the New Zealand Maori, to take on Japan in the third round of the IRB Pacific Nations Cup match at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo this Sunday.
In the forwards, Alefoso Yalayalatabua starts at loosehead prop in place of Graham Dewes whilst the backline sees Aporosa Vata start at scrumhalf for Mosese Rauluni and Michael Tagicakibau comes in for Vilimoni Delasau at left wing.
The other changes have been made to the bench. The most notable sees new caps Sailosi Rabonaqica and Nemia Kenatale on the bench and Vereniki Goneva come in at the expense of Tailevu centre Saula Radidi.
The last time the two teams met was a thriller at the 2007 World Cup when Fiji won 35-31.
This match comes a week after Japan's convincing 35-13 win over Tonga.
Japan are eager and also aware of the difficulty. Coach John Kirwan said: "Fiji are one of the best attacking sides in the world. Any turnovers or kicks that do not go out will be punished. Any lack of awareness in our defensive line will be punished."
Fiji: 15 Taniela Rawaqa, 14 Timoci Nagusa, 13 Sireli Naqelevuki, 12 Kameli Ratuvou, 11 Michael Tagicakibau, 10 Waisea Luveniyali, 9 Aporosa Vata, 8 Netani Talei, 7 Aca Gavidi, 6 Semisi Naevo, 5 Kele Leawere, 4 Ifereimi Rawaqa, 3 Jone Railomo, 2 Sunia Koto, 1 Alefoso Yalayalatabua
Replacements: Vereniki Sauturaga, Viliame Seuseu, Sailosi Rabonaqica, Deryck Thomas, Nemia Kenatale, Vereniki Goneva, Marika Vakacegu
Japan: 15 Shaun Webb, 14 Kosuke Endo, 13 Koji Taira, 12 Ryan Nicholas, 11 Hirotoki Onozawa, 10 James Aldridge, 9 Fumiaki Tanaka, 8 Takuro Miuchi (captain), 7 Hare Makiri, 6 Takashi Kikutani, 5 Toshizhumi Kitagawa, 4 Hitoshi Ono, 3 Tomakazu Soma, 2 Yusuke Aoki, 1 tatsukichi Nishiura
Replacements: Naonori Mizuyama, Yuta Inose, Tomoaki Taniguchi, Ryu Koliniasi
Holani, Tomoki Yoshida, Bryce Robins, Christian Loamanu
Date: Sunday, 22 June 2008
Kick-off: 14.05
Venue: Olympic Stadium, Tokyo
Referee: Kelvin Deaker
